Hodge says too many great tackles not rewarded

Luke Hodge reckons football fans and players have grounds to be upset that Essendon's Mark Baguley was not paid a free kick for a great tackle late in the game against Port Adelaide. The Hawthorn captain believes too many incorrect disposal decisions are let go by umpires.

Defender Baguley made a desperate diving tackle on Port's Angus Monfries as his former teammate was running into an open goal.

Once Monfries was dispossessed, presiding umpire Shane McInerney, who is on track to officiate his 400th match this season, called play on. That allowed the Power's Kane Mitchell to pick up the loose ball, stroll in and kick a goal that reduced the Power's deficit to two points with two minutes remaining.

Former West Coast coach John Worsfold reckoned the decision was a clear but isolated error. Hawthorn captain Hodge, however, argued incidents involving "a perfect tackle like that" not being penalised for incorrect disposal - even through the ball spilled free rather than being kicked or handballed -were not anomalies.